Lewisham Film Initiative news

Southern Exposure now open!!!

Get your applications at the ready because SEFF is now open. Visit Film London's website for the online application system and eligibility guidelines! Deadline for applications is NOON on the 1 October.

Nollywood Now!

The Deptford Film Club will be hosting the country's first ever Nigerian Film Festival, Nollywood Now!, at the Moonshot Centre on 6-12 October.

The Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, exploded at the beginning of the 1990s and is now the world’s second largest film industry in the world in terms of number of annual film production. The industry has an estimated turnover of US$250 million, and produces around 2400 films a year.

Films are rarely released in cinemas, but are distributed in DVD and VCD format in markets and shops for home viewing. In London, most Nollywood fans rent or buy their films from shops in Deptford, Peckham and Dalston. In addition, Odeon cinemas organise occasional late night screenings and popular premiere events.

Nigerian film is popular with audiences from across Africa. In 2006, 42% of Nollywood films were made in English language, 37% in Yoruba and 18% in Hausa.

The festival is organised by Deptford Film Club (www.deptfordfilmclub.org) and has been funded by the London Borough of Lewisham through its Community Cohesion fund.

Contact Phoenix Fry at deptfordfilmclub@live.co.uk for more information.

Southern Exposure launches 26 Aug

South London's premier film fund, Southern Exposure, opens for another round of filmmaking excellence on 26 August.

Online application forms will be available on the Film London website with a 1 October deadline for entries.

New features introduced this year include a more structured training programme with dedicated mentors and masterclasses, an extended delivery deadline to 1 June 2011 and increased budget level of up to £4000 per project.

Please sign up to our newsletter to receive information on the launch event on 26 August.

Two out of three ain't bad

Southern Exposure has yet again triumphed at the Best of Boroughs Awards held at Bafta on Wednesday. ASSESSMENT directed by Mark Gutteridge and produced by Tom Clutterbuck and Jack Tarling won the £2000 Jury Price from an illustrious panel including Stephen Woolley.

Congratulations to all the filmmakers and especially fellow shortlisters THE TUNNEL and BURIGANGA.

Vote for Best of Boroughs 2010

This year, three films from our very own SOUTHERN EXPOSURE FILM FUND (Lewisham/Lambeth/Southwark) have been shortlisted for Film London's Best of Borough Awards, to be held at BAFTA on 12 July. The three films are eligible for a £2000 Audience Award and a £2000 Jury Prize.

The Audience Award is voted on by members of the public via Film London's online site here, (where you can also check out the competition!)

I think our films stand out for their creative and technical excellence so please do vote and pass the message on/post where appropriate. We last won in 2008 with Chris Croucher's THE BEACHCOMBERS so all the more reason to maintain our standards!

This year's fund will open later in July with a 1 October application deadline and a delivery date of 1 April 2011.

www.filmlondon.org.uk/bobs

Lewisham's Cinema Treasure Map Revealed!

The Brockley Jack is more than just a pub, theatre and film club. They also compile a brilliant e-newsletter with fascinating bits and pieces of information such as this fantastic resource for anyone interested in the early days of cinema provision in the borough.

http://brockleyjackfilmclub.co.uk/2010/04/29/map-of-cinemas-in-lewisham/

Southern Exposure triumphant!

On 23 April at the illustrious British Film Institute on the Southbank, NFT3 was full of the cast and crews of ten short films funded by Southern Exposure and Film London. The standard of filmmaking was incredibly high with a whopping 2hr 45mins of material to enjoy. Unfortunately the Q&A with Kate Myers and Ed Fletcher was affected dramatically by our overrunning, but an informal networking drink in the bar proved a great success.

The following films were chosen to represent each borough for the Best of Borough Awards in July at BAFTA.

Lewisham - Buriganga (Michelle Coomber)
Lambeth - The Tunnel (Naomi de Pear)
Southwark - The Assessments (Tom Clutterbuck)

Well done to everyone who contributed to this most enjoyable and impressive display of South London filmmaking talent...

Jo Coombes, producer of JOIN THE DOTS tells us how it's done.

Jamie Maule - Ffinch, writer/director of DAYS OF FREEDOM introduces his work

London Film Day

Join us at the new Twin learning centre in the heart of Lewisham this Sunday (21 March) where Lunchbox Films will be hosting a fun and adventuresome animation workshop based on the brand new Nanny McPhee movie.

Doors open at 10.30am with a cafe and prize raffle of Nanny McPhee merchandise. Then, in the afternoon, you can enjoy the film at one of the 15 simultaneous screenings in the capital including Greenwich Picturehouse, BFI Southbank and the Ritzy in Brixton.

The event is FREE but let us know you're coming by RSVPing to events@twinuk.com or by calling 020 8297 3231

Looking for Ken? Found him in Deptford...

The Screenbiz brings another superb film to the Albany as part of their Urban Screen programme.

Legendary director Ken Loach turns his attention to football in this comedy drama starring the inimitable, extended metaphor loving Eric Cantona.

Join us for a Q&A with Ken Loach after the screening!

Kicks n Flicks Football Film Festival

Forget about John Terry's personal indiscretions and celebrate the glory of the pure, unadulterated game at Kicks n Flicks, London's international football film festival.

The festival is now open for submissions for features, documentaries, animations...anything so long as its related to football.

For more information, visit